Red Wings VP Jimmy Devellano: New arena would be 'win-win' for fans, team, city

"To sustain the Red Wings, for the ability to attract free agents, a vibrant building in downtown Detroit would be a plus.'' -- Jimmy Devellano.

Joe Louis Arena is the fourth-oldest building in the NHL and lacks many modern amenities.AP file photo

The Detroit Red Wings have managed to be one of the most successful and valuable franchises in the NHL over the past two decades despite playing in a facility that is outdated by modern standards.

Club senior vice president Jimmy Devellano is excited about what a proposed new arena could do for the team, its fans and the City of Detroit.

“For the fans, it will give them the ultimate in convenience and comfort,'' Devellano told MLive.com. “We were able to learn from other buildings what fans appreciate. The amenities would be far superior than what we've been able to offer at the Joe.''

Joe Louis Arena, which seats 20,066 for hockey, opened on Dec. 12, 1979 and is the fourth-oldest arena in the NHL. It lacks many of the amenities found in newer buildings, including lucrative mid-level suites.

The release said the $650 million project hinges on passage of state legislation that allows for use of Downtown Development Authority funds. It incorporates a significant private investment supplemented by existing DDA dollars and requires no new taxes, according to Olympia Development.

“For the hockey team, to sustain the Red Wings, for the ability to attract free agents, a vibrant building in downtown Detroit would be a plus,'' Devellano said.

Beyond hockey, Devellano said if the project is approved, it would be a “win-win'' situation.

“What a wonderful thing this would be for the City of Detroit,'' Devellano said. “When you think of Comerica Park, Ford Field, the Fox Theatre and now the possibility of a new state-of-the-art arena and new people moving downtown, new residences, it really would be a fantastic thing for the City of Detroit.

“On top of that, I'd like to think of the jobs it will create over the next few years. Anything to make a world-class downtown would be fantastic.''

The Red Wings sold out 396 consecutive games at Joe Louis Arena from December 1996 to October 2007. The club said its current sell-out streak stands at 71 games.

Madison Square Garden (New York Rangers), the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum (New York Islanders) and Rexall Place (Edmonton) are the only NHL facilities older than Joe Louis Arena. The Islanders announced on Oct. 24 that they are moving to the new Barclays Center in Brooklyn in 2015-16.